:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/serena-williams-Caitlin-Clark-01_03312025-b0a4eb0817054d658c3982627af1261d.jpg "Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark Snap Selfie at NFL Annual Meeting")
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Rafael Devers needs to call up an MIT scientist and get himself one of those torpedo bats.
The Red Sox’s third basemen-turned-designated-hitter is 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts to start the season, and the panic alarm is already being sounded by some of those around the team.
Legendary Boston closer and NESN studio analyst Jonathan Papelbon questioned the slugger’s condition coming into the season on the Red Sox postgame show.
“Maybe [Rafael Devers] is out of shape,” Papelbon said. “Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat… Know what happens when you trim fat? Pigs squeal… You trim fat, pigs squeal. That’s what you’re looking for- your pigs to squeal. They hit home runs.”
Boston Globe Red Sox reporter Gabrielle Starr added on X that Papelbon’s reference to making “pig’s squeal” was his way of saying “the bats will make noise.”
Papelbon also added that Devers’ front foot is getting down late, speculating that he is not ready to hit when he gets into the batter’s box and that he’s behind on the fastball.
Boston is off to a tough start, going 1-3 in their first series against the Rangers, while the Yankees showcased nearly unprecedented power numbers en route to a dominant series sweep of the NL Central champion Brewers.
Devers has been among the best hitters in baseball over his eight-year career in Boston, although it had been a contentious spring training after the Red Sox signed Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman to take over at third base.
Devers initially refused to give up the position he manned for the majority of his career, but ultimately agreed to take the designated hitter role.
“Third base is my position. It’s what I’ve played,” Devers told reporters on Feb. 17.
The 6-foot Devers weighed in at 245 poinds this spring, a slight increase compared to previous years, when he weighed between 235-237 pounds since 2019.
Devers missed most of training camp with a shoulder injury and is possibly out of shape as this season begins and the Red Sox struggle to find their footing.
The Red Sox open a three-game series with the Orioles on Monday.
